Lifeways are one of the UK’s leading providers of specialist support services for people with learning disabilities, autism, and complex neurodiverse needs – we support individuals who require complex care and positive behaviour support to live fulfilling and independent lives.
As part of an ambitious transformation journey, we have invested significantly in quality assurance, governance, digital rostering, and care mapping technologies — strengthening operational excellence while enhancing outcomes for the people we support. At Lifeways, we are building a culture that values compassion, accountability, and continuous improvement, creating an environment where experienced leaders can make a meaningful and lasting impact.
Title: Area Manager
Location: South London
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Area Manager with a strong operational leadership background to lead and inspire our Supported Living services across South London. This is an opportunity for a motivated healthcare leader to drive quality, performance, and positive outcomes across a diverse portfolio of services while empowering teams to deliver exceptional person-centred support.
What you’ll bring to Lifeways Group as Area Manager:
- Proven experience leading multi-site residential and/or supported living services within a Health & Social Care environment, ideally supporting individuals with learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, or mental health conditions.
- A strong track record of improving service quality, health & safety, and regulatory compliance, with demonstrable success in achieving and maintaining full compliance with CQC standards.
- Experience in financial management, including budget oversight, business planning, and involvement in tendering, service transitions, and mobilisation of new services.
- Calm, resilient, and solutions-focused leadership approach when managing safeguarding concerns, whistleblowing cases, or other complex operational challenges.
- Evidence of driving performance improvement, identifying service issues, and successfully implementing and embedding effective remedial action plans.
- Proven ability to lead, develop, and inspire multi-site teams, ensuring consistent standards, high-quality care delivery, and strong operational governance across services.
- A relevant professional qualification at Level 4 or above in Health & Social Care, Leadership, or Management (or equivalent experience).
- Significant experience supporting adults with complex needs, including acquired brain injury, learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities, and/or mental health needs.
Why Join Lifeways?
When you join Lifeways, you step into a leadership role in a company that values and invests in its people. Our shared values guide everything we do:Caring – Honest – One Team – Innovative – Courageous – Equal
You’ll get:
- Leadership development programmes & progression pathways
- A supportive, inclusive workplace culture
- Matched contribution company pension scheme
- Wellbeing resources and mental health support
- Reward and Recognition Schemes
- Discounts on shopping, tech, travel, and more through CHOICE Rewards
- Access financial wellbeing tools with Stream, including real-time pay tracking and early access to earned wages
Why Now?
We are on a bold journey to become the Care Provider of Choice — and this is an exciting time to join us.
We listen closely to our team members through surveys and forums and act on their ideas, continuously improving how we support both our people and the individuals in our care.
As a leader, you’ll have the authority, resources, and support to shape your team’s culture and the quality of care they deliver. We invest in your growth through leadership development and promote a workplace where wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion are more than just words — they’re lived values.
At Lifeways, you’re not just anyone. You’re a leader who can make a difference every single day.
We are not using agencies for this recruitment. Any CVs sent to anyone in Lifeways from a recruitment agency will be treated as a gift.
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